As Independence Day weekend approaches, the box office is bracing for a high-voltage clash. On August 14, two major releases are set to light up theatres – Ayan Mukerji’s War 2 from Bollywood and the South Indian pan-India spectacle Coolie, led by superstar Rajinikanth. (News18 Hindi)
The crime drama marks Rajinikanth’s 171st outing and comes with a reported budget of around Rs 375 crore. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and backed by Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures, the film has already set the cash registers ringing with strong advance bookings across languages. (News18 Hindi)
According to Deccan Herald, Rajinikanth plays the lead role of Deva and has charged a staggering Rs 200 crore, up from the initially agreed Rs 150 crore, after pre-sales shattered expectations. His remuneration towers over the rest of the ensemble. (News18 Hindi)
Bollywood’s Aamir Khan will appear in a brief but high-profile cameo as a gangster named Daha. Despite being on screen for only about 15 minutes, he has reportedly pocketed Rs 20 crore for the role. (News18 Hindi)
Tollywood veteran Nagarjuna, taking on his first-ever full-fledged villain role as Simon, is said to have charged Rs 10 crore. (News18 Hindi)
Baahubali star Sathyaraj (Rajasekhar) has charged Rs 5 crore for his role in Coolie. (News18 Hindi)
Kannada icon Upendra (Kalisha) also charged Rs 5 crore for his role in the movie. (News18 Hindi)
Shruti Haasan, portraying Preeti, is reportedly the lowest-paid among the main cast with Rs 4 crore. (News18 Hindi)
Behind the camera, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction fee is pegged at Rs 50 crore, while music composer Anirudh Ravichander, reuniting with Rajinikanth after the 2023 hit Jailer, has charged Rs 15 crore. (News18 Hindi)
Trade tracker Sacnilk reports that Coolie has already generated Rs 14 crore in pre-sales, selling nearly 6 lakh tickets across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi markets. Including block seat sales, the figure is estimated to have touched Rs 20 crore. In comparison, War 2 has secured advance bookings worth Rs 2.08 crore so far. (News18 Hindi)
